Reversal theory and psychotherapy: A review

The present paper aims to review the emerging practice of structural phenomenological psychotherapy derived from the theory of psychological reversals and to provide some extensions of this practice. The paper does not provide a full account of reversal theory, which is available elsewhere (Apter, 1982; Apter et al., 1985). It does, however, provide an account of the way in which this theory can be applied to the practice of therapy. Throughout this paper, counselling and psychotherapy are regarded as synonymous.